W9WDX

Our system has detected that an "AdBlocker" is installed in your browser. It is blocking advertisements and possibly other essential functions in our site. Please consider to disable the AdBlocker while you're browsing in our site. You may not be aware, but any visitor supports our site by just viewing ads.

You can now help support WorldwideDX when you shop on Amazon at no additional cost to you! Simply follow this Shop on Amazon link first and a portion of any purchase is sent to WorldwideDX to help with site costs.

Trying to learn DM780 for SSTV

I have been using my Yaesu FT-847 to do digital modes SSTV and PSK-31 for some time, using a homebrew sound card interface. I recently upgraded to a TiniCat-847 interface, which has the additional benefit of a CAT connection between radio and computer. This is really nice, because now the integrated features of Ham Radio Deluxe, or the DXLab suite work like they are supposed to (the programs are aware of what freq and mode the radio is set to, and they intercommunicate, so the log window is automatically filled out for me, with QRZ info, freq, mode, QTH, etc.)

So far, I am starting to lean towards the HRD+DM780 combo for PSK-31 and SSTV. DXLab works great, but it is a little "clunky". Same thing with the MMSSTV program--it is good software, just not as slick as the DM780 and associated programs. The only issue (so far, lol) is that when I use DM780 for SSTV, I am having trouble with the horizontal positioning of some images from some stations. There is a setting for automatic horizontal positioning of incoming images, but it does not seem to work consistently. (I am not talking about slant adjustment, which is fine--it is the fact that some images are coming in positioned too far to the left margin by maybe 15 or 20 pixel widths.) I can manually use the horizontal adjustment as they come in, but isn't the auto-adjustment supposed to do that for me? MMSSTV handles these images just fine, with no apparent settings for me to change---it just does it without fail. Even with both programs open, RX'ing the same image at the same time, MMSSTV has it centered correctly, and DM780 does not, even with the auto-horizontal positioning setting set.

Anyone else have this issue? The help file is incomplete and does not seem to have a solution that works for me. I'll think I have it right, then the next image comes in pushed over to the left again! :headbang

If I have to, I'll just switch back to using MMSSTV, but I really like the integration with the HRD suite that DM780 offers.

I am not familiar with what you are using, I only use MMSTV program which you are right it adjusts itself for the images.

I use a ft857 for a radio and no interface, just a cable from the spkr to the pc audio and a cable into the data plug into the pc, and it works just fine for any data usage such as psk31, hells, olivia, rtty and sstv. I do limit my wattage to 25 watts at the most and everything runs cool.

Have you ran the sound card calibration testing yet? This is needed to insure that your computer and sound card are going to download and sync the SSTV picture correctly. If you have not calibrated your sound card and adjusted it correctly (which the programs explains how to do) then you will have the issues you describe. You will need to calibrate the audio out and audio in separately and it is explain in detail in the help file.

Also below the receive window are button that you can push that look similar to this \\ | // the button that is in the center is the one that will straighten your image once the button goes from gray to usable. But if you do not calibrate the program it will not work right, calibrate each audio in and out for at least 1 hour.

Have you ran the sound card calibration testing yet? This is needed to insure that your computer and sound card are going to download and sync the SSTV picture correctly. If you have not calibrated your sound card and adjusted it correctly (which the programs explains how to do) then you will have the issues you describe. You will need to calibrate the audio out and audio in separately and it is explain in detail in the help file.

Also below the receive window are button that you can push that look similar to this \\ | // the button that is in the center is the one that will straighten your image once the button goes from gray to usable. But if you do not calibrate the program it will not work right, calibrate each audio in and out for at least 1 hour.

Click to expand...

Yes, I have run the calibration for both in and out. I thought that that only had to do with the slant adjustments, not the horizontal position. My pics TX and RX perfectly straight without the auto slant adjustment.

Do the sound card calibration numbers actually have anything to do with the horizontal issue I'm having? If so, maybe I'll run it again and let it go overnight.

For what it's worth... Not much!
I've used several programs for digital stuff, and SSTV. I find that 'DM-780' is just not worth the trouble to me. It has a 'different' way of doing things, and I'm not too sure it would be worth the effort to do the 're-thinking' to get it right. At least, not when I can make another program do what I want it to do (understand it better?).
If/when you get it all figured out, how about writing all that stuff down so I'll know who to ask??
- 'Doc

A bit 'off-topic'
But I think MMSSTV is probably one of the better slow scan programs you can find now-a-days. I think the finest that's ever been was the 'ChromaPix' program, but that's been 'gone' for quite a while now, that's a shame. Oh well. I've tried that 'EasyPal'. If that's what you find works for you then use it. I have done computer graphics stuff for quite a while and would rather use an older stand-alone graphics program, just 'works' better for me. 'nuther, oh well.
- 'Doc

And just because it bothers me that I couldn't make the thing work very easily, I've been 'playing' with it the last few days. That '780 and SSTV seems workable. Did a slant correction by clicking on the "\ | / " thingys above the 'slant' block. It worked. No idication while looking at an 'old' picture, but the next one that came along was straight. The vertical bar " | " moved the picture to the left, filling the space that was there before.
So, having at least made the thing work, and also playing with PSK at bit, I think that's it, I'm going back to the programs I normally use.
- 'Doc

And just because it bothers me that I couldn't make the thing work very easily, I've been 'playing' with it the last few days. That '780 and SSTV seems workable. Did a slant correction by clicking on the "\ | / " thingys above the 'slant' block. It worked. No idication while looking at an 'old' picture, but the next one that came along was straight. The vertical bar " | " moved the picture to the left, filling the space that was there before.
So, having at least made the thing work, and also playing with PSK at bit, I think that's it, I'm going back to the programs I normally use.
- 'Doc

Click to expand...

I never had any trouble with slant settings!

I had trouble with the HORIZONTAL positioning. Only some pics had the problem of being too far to the left by maybe 8 to 10 pixels. Then I'd set it to move the pic over, no problem. But then a few would come through just fine, then some new guy shows up and boom, his pics are over to the left too far again. I could never get it to be consistent.

I've noticed lot's of people have asked about this horizontal issue on a few forums, but everyone who responds always wants to talk about slant adjustment, which is not the problem. Frustrating! MMSSTV would get all the same pics (I had both programs open at the same time) and it would ALWAYS have them correctly positioned. WEIRD.

You know, it all relates back to the original sync of the received picture. Horizontal positioning, slant, etc, are all determined by that 'pulse', except for those modes that sync every line, the 'Scotty's (and I'm not sure about some of the 'newer' modes). If the soundcard timing is 'off' just a little, that'll make those 'Scotty' pictures edges sort of jagged, or 'herringbone-ish'. I wonder if there's something being done 'differently' in the HRD/780 programs? A 'priority' in the wrong order? No idea how to even say it, so doubt if this makes any sense. If it were just a matter of a different style of user interface for a common SSTV 'engine', or if there is some sort of 'improvement' in the basic 'engine'?
And considering how much I -don't- want to learn more/different programming, I think I'll leave the solution to you and all them programmers!
- 'Doc

All this has been on the receiving end, haven't figured out how to get the transmitter connected to the @#$ laptop. All my previous SSTV has been done through the mic-jack, not the 'data' port for various reasons. And a real-live Rs-232 port! Not that @#$ USB thingy! Different radio, different computer, same old 'lazy', so may just find that @#$ 'RigBlaster' interface and just worry about finding the right adapters for the @#$ different mic-jack! Oh well...

... everyone who responds always wants to talk about slant adjustment, which is not the problem...(I had both programs open at the same time) ...

Click to expand...

i understand you are talking about the horizontal position, however,......

if you run MMSSTV and any other soundcard type program ,....... and you load MMSSTV FIRST, it will take control of the soundcard and it will add a 75 Hz offset to the setting.
even if you shutdown MMSSTV, the offset will still be active, the 'puter must be rebooted to remove it.

this can be stopped by designating the sound card priority setting (in MMSSTV) as "device 0" or "device 1", ect.

as far as the horizontal issue,.....
do you have the HRD "auto" sync pluse and the VIS detection enabled?

try redownloading and installing the new HRD program, you may have a corrupted file.

also, perhaps you don't have the problem, the sending station may have sync pluse/VIS issues. you may want to "track" which station sends good pics and which sends bad ones and see if there is a pattern

About Us

The WorldwideDX Radio Forum was originally established in 2001. We pride ourselves on welcoming Radio Hobby enthusiasts of all types, while offering unbiased, informative, and friendly discussion among the members. We are working every day to make sure our community is the best Radio Hobbyist's site.

Like us on Facebook

Buy us a beer!

The management works very hard to make sure the community is running the best software, best designs, and all the other bells and whistles. Care to buy us a beer? We'd really appreciate it!